HEALRD.IE REPORTS
Singer Linda Martin won’t be returning to Eurovision next year. Linda is remaining silent on a controversial gag broadcast during the contest on Saturday night in which she was compared to Johnny Logan in drag. But the former winner said she will not be travelling to the event in Denmark next year as part of the Irish delegation. “No, I won’t be returning,” she said.
The star said she is finished with the competition as she can’t bear to see another talented Irish act come last in the contest. “It’s really because I can’t watch another hard-working team with a brilliant song and singer, not getting the recognition they deserve in the voting stage. “I mean, it was absolutely ridiculous that we came last,” she said.
The former winner was straight back to work in Dublin yesterday helping Louis Walsh audition potential new boyband stars. But she refused to be drawn on the controversy, which saw presenter Petra Meade mock her 1992 Eurovision performance. During the skit, Meade explained how Johnny Logan had won the Eurovision three times, but footage included Linda singing the Logan-penned winning song Why Me in Malmoe in 1992. Meade joked: “I know a man in drag when I see one,” as Linda Martin appeared on screen.
Linda would not comment on the quip when approached by the Herald, choosing instead to lament Ireland coming last. “It was disappointing to come last but that’s the way it goes,” she said after the second day of open auditions at the Button Factory in Temple Bar.
